√2023 Audi R8 GT RWD revealed as V10 supercar farewell, but not for Australia

The current Audi R8 will be farewelled in Europe and the US with a race track-oriented GT special edition – but the R8’s time in Australian showrooms has already ended.

Audi will farewell its iconic 2023 Audi R8 supercar – and its high-revving V10 engine – with a final race track-focused GT edition, but it won’t come to Australia.

Officially known as the R8 Coupe V10 GT RWD, it is pitched as the final version of Audi’s supercar in its current form – before the R8, its Lamborghini Huracan twin and their shared V10 engine go out of production, expected within the next 18 months.

It is not expected to come to Australia, as the R8 line-up was axed locally 12 months ago after production of its Australian-market engine tune ceased. Whether it returns at a later date with a next-generation model – which is widely expected to have pure electric power – remains to be seen.

Reviving a badge applied to a special edition 12 years ago – and limited to 333 cars worldwide – the R8 GT builds on the standard R8 V10 Performance RWD with more power, track-oriented aerodynamics, less weight, and new chassis technology.

Power from the mid-mounted 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 has risen from 419kW/550Nm in the Performance RWD, to 456kW/565Nm in the GT – up 37kW/15Nm, and matching the all-wheel-drive Performance V10 Quattro variant on power.

Push the engine to its 8700rpm redline, and Audi claims it will be capable of a 0-100km/h dash in 3.4 seconds, 0-200km/h in 10.1 seconds, and a top speed of 320km/h.

An upgraded seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission – with revised gear ratios and faster shift times – sends power to the rear wheels. The intake manifold on top of the engine is painted in black.

A new Torque Rear drive mode is available, which allows drivers to switch between seven levels of stability control intervention via a dial on the steering wheel.

The R8 GT RWD weighs 20kg less than the standard R8 Performance RWD (for a total of 1570kg without a driver), thanks to sports bucket seats, lightweight 20-inch forged wheels (wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres), and carbon-ceramic brake discs.

The front anti-roll bar is made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, while buyers can choose from standard sports suspension, or race-bred coilover suspension, which can be adjusted for compression and rebound using a set of tools included with the car.

The R8 GT can be distinguished by a carbon-fibre aerodynamics kit, which includes a unique front splitter, front bumper ‘flics’, side skirts, rear bumper, rear diffuser insert, and ‘swan-neck’ rear wing.

All exterior badges are black, while the engine cover, side blade and mirror caps carry a carbon-fibre finish. Four colours are available on UK models: the GT-specific matte Suzuka Gray, plus Tango Red Metallic, Mythos Black Metallic and Daytona Gray Metallic.

Inside, highlights include single-piece sports bucket seats with leather and Alcantara upholstery, red contrast stitching, R8 GT embroidery on the seats and floor mats, red seatbelts, and a carbon-fibre centre console insert with a badge denoting the vehicle’s production number.

UK-market models also add a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, Alcantara diamond-stitched headlining, and dark-tinted laser headlights.

First deliveries of the 2023 Audi R8 GT are set to commence in Europe early next year. Only 333 vehicles will be built worldwide, including 15 for the right-hand-drive United Kingdom.

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